Baseball Like You've Never Seen It, As It Was Played In 1864

On Governor's Island, in New York City, men gather to play one of America's oldest pastimes. But unlike many local leagues, these men play baseball as it was in the old days.

The Gotham Baseball Club of New York play baseball according to the rules in place in 1864 and have done so for 11 seasons. Governor's Island is the ideal place for the league as it has an old world feel—especially this weekend during the Jazz Age Lawn Party.

New York City played an important role in the invention and development of baseball and the Gothams take their name from baseball's second oldest team (the oldest were the Knicherbockers), which used to meet at 298 Bowery and play at the St. George Cricket Club on Staten Island.

Today, players come from all over and range in age from early mid-20s to mid-50s. Some are there for the history, the love the recreation while others are there for the love of baseball and the game.

There are a few important rule changes, including:

No gloves! Bare handed was the way they used to play.

Balls can be caught off one bounce and the batter is still out - this helps even out the no gloves.

You can't overrun first base - i.e. you need to slide in there or stop on the base - because if you overrun and the first baseman gets the ball and tags you, you are out.

It's fun, nostalgic, and a little bit quirky and open to all. So if you are in the area check it out, but if you can't we have pictures.

But the uniforms are a bit different.

The team provides some useful info for the many curious passer bys.

Which is good, because the game attracts some attention. Juan Romero (right) just came to Governor's Island for the day with his family, when he saw the game. Gabriel "Oates" Rosenberg (of course everyone on the team has a nickname), explained the rules to Romero who stayed to watch the rest of the game.

While players try to stick to being in the 1860s, for the purposes of documenting the event they will allow some technology on the field.

Our guide, Joe Soria, "Sleepy" (of course, everyone has a nickname), has been playing with the league for a few years. A New Jersey native, by day he runs a small online custom modem retail shop called FlashRouters.

Family members often come to support the team, and there is Joe's sister, Jackie Soria.

The game gets exciting.

A slide and he is SAFE! Matt "Monk" Gebhard has been playing with the Gothams for 3 years. By day he is the beverage director of bar group BXL and the name is a reference to his passion for Belgian beers.

Team mates watch with concern.

Geoff "Ironweed" Burt, is one of the oldest in the league at 54.

The game really is bare handed and injuries are not uncommon. Today, Ironweed hurt his hand. The team doesn't hesitate to use modern care for the wounded. Ironweed said he might take next week off, but there was no way an injury would hold him back. Of the league he said, this is, "the best game I ever played."